by Mariel Surprenant ’26 on October 30, 2025
News
Through a GoFundMe and a darty, Providence College students were able to raise $2,000 in just five days towards breast cancer resources. Organizers from the class of 2026 threw a “Pink-Out Darty,” in which students of all grades were welcome to dress in pink, have a good time, and donate to breast cancer resources through QR codes. Darty attendee, Jack Lefebvre ’26, commented, “The darty was lots of fun. It was great to see our whole school dressed in pink to support a great cause.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month occurs every October. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer “is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30 percent (or one in three) of all new female cancers each year.” However, early detection and treatment advances have significantly improved survival rates. Each October, organizations, survivors, and supporters nationwide participate in fundraising walks, educational campaigns, and outreach events to support research, promote early detection, and honor those affected by the disease.
Students raised money to donate to the Gloria Gemma Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources to individuals and families impacted by breast cancer in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Its mission is to “celebrate and nurture life in our local community before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis by providing education, access to wellness resources, and support programs to all those touched by cancer.”
“The Gloria Gemma Foundation has a longstanding partnership with Providence College, and we deeply appreciate the continued support the Friars have shown over the years,” said Maria Gemma Corcelli, the foundation’s executive director. “The compassion and generosity of PC students and staff are truly a blessing to the people we serve, and we are forever grateful.”
Breast cancer has hit far too close to home for many PC students, including David Figueroa ’26. The Gloria Gemma Foundation is lovingly named after his grandmother, Gloria Gemma, who lost her courageous fight with breast cancer in 2002. “It was really awesome to see my school come together and raise money for a cause so close to my family. We appreciate everyone here at PC who donated,” said Figueroa.
Additionally, about 20 PC students participated in the 2025 Gloria Gemma 5k on Oct. 5, resulting in approximately $1,800 in additional donations.
Set up by the class of 2026, the event that the organizers created strove to give back to the community that has given so much to them over their four years at PC. Dave Guden ’26, the primary organizer of the darty and the GoFundMe, said, “My friends and I thought it would be a great idea to host a ‘Pink-Out’ fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We were very satisfied to see that Friartown was able to raise $2,000 for the Gloria Gemma Foundation here in Rhode Island. It truly shows how when us Friars come together, we can create a positive impact on the community.”
“It was super awesome to see our senior class come together to organize something bigger than ourselves and to show support for the local Rhode Island community,” said Jack Coyle ’26, a representative for the class of 2026.